Submitted by Descendants: The Alley, Byers, Earnshaw, & Sumara Families
Ann Turlington was born 1800, daughter of James Turlington and Nancy Bass of Sampson County, NC. Her father died when Ann was a young child. She married Bailey Chesnut and had several children. The family moved in the 1830s to Thomas County, GA, where Bailey died prior to 1 July 1839.
The 1840 US Census for Jefferson County, Florida Territory lists Ann Chesnut as head-of-household. Living there is 1 male age 10-14, 1 female age 5-9, 2 females age 15-19, and one female age 40-49. This Census indicates Ann cannot read or write. In Jefferson County Court on 21 October 1843, Ann Chesnut is grantor of property to her children. Receipts filed with the court by John Anderson, guardian of her two minor children, include payments to Ann for household expenses.
Daughter Elizabeth married John Anderson of Jefferson County and Mary Jane married Benjamin W. Edwards in Thomas County, GA, but lived in Jefferson County, Florida. Both sisters are listed in Jefferson County, Florida in 1880 US Census; Catherine married Asa Holt Shepherd, and William James married Elizabeth Hand. About 1854 Ann moved with Catherine’s family to Jefferson County, GA. After being in the path of Sherman’s army, Ann returned with Catherine in late 1864. Ann Turlington Chesnut died in Jefferson County after the 1870 US Census.
Ann Turlington was first established as a Florida Pioneer in 2011